Trump to host military flight team behind Iran strikes at White House, praising their precision and historic achievement.

White House to Host Pilots and Crew Behind Iran Strikes

President Donald Trump announced Thursday night that the U.S. military flight team responsible for the high-stakes strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities will be honored at a White House celebration. The recognition event, set for tomorrow evening, is intended to highlight the skill, dedication, and courage of the pilots, support crew, and mechanics who executed what Trump called “one of the greatest military hits and maneuvers in the history of our country.”

Speaking before a crowd in Iowa, Trump emphasized his frustration with media reports suggesting the operation only partially damaged its targets. “Remember when CNN said it wasn't obliterated? It was maybe damaged or damaged badly, but obliterated is too strong a word. No, it was obliterated. That's now been proven,” Trump asserted. He described such coverage as not only an attempt to undermine his leadership, but also as an affront to the military professionals involved. “They're trying to demean me, but to me, they were demeaning them… And they got out of the plane, and they said, ‘What? We hit every single target.’ They know better than anybody.”

The president made it clear that tomorrow’s White House ceremony would honor not just the pilots, but the full flight crew, including those who maintained the aircraft for “37 hours without a stop.” He highlighted the global attention on the operation: “China, Russia, they were all watching. Everybody was watching. We have the greatest equipment anywhere in the world. We have the greatest people anywhere in the world, and we have the strongest military anywhere in the world.”

Details of the Iran-U.S. Military Standoff

During his address, Trump shared details about the U.S.-Iran military confrontation that followed the strikes. He claimed that Iranian officials contacted the White House to announce their intention to launch a retaliatory attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar. According to Trump, the Iranians even asked what time would be convenient for their strike. “They said, ‘Sir, is 1:00 okay?’ I said it was fine, [they said], ‘We could make it later.’ And we had nobody but four gunners,” he recounted. Ultimately, Trump explained, all 14 incoming Iranian missiles were intercepted by four U.S. gunners, averting casualties and escalating conflict.

Trump’s remarks and the planned celebration underscore the administration’s emphasis on military strength, preparedness, and appreciation for the service of armed forces members in complex global operations. By inviting the entire flight team and their support network to the White House, the president aims to publicly honor their achievements and reinforce the message of American resolve and military capability on the world stage.

As the White House prepares to host the honorees, the event serves as both a tribute to individual and collective valor and as a statement of pride in U.S. military leadership at a critical moment in international relations.